Dublin-based Cardinal Health says it plans to acquire one of the nationâ€™s largest suppliers of home-based medical supplies.

The drug wholesaler Cardinal Health says it plans to acquire AssuraMed for $2.07 billion. Cardinal manufactures and distributes pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, but mostly to doctors and other providers.

The acquisition of AssuraMed could be Cardinalâ€™s in-road to home-based medical care. AssuraMed reported about $1 billion in sales last year, and a statement from Cardinal says it plans to use its supply chain knowledge to make the business more efficient.

Cardinal says the deal will be financed mostly with debt and is expected to be finalized in the spring. News of the announcement increased Cardinal shares by nearly two percent this morning.